Fat Burn Workouts

The Quick Workout That Will Boost Your Fat Burn

Slim down fast with these calorie-blasting metabolic moves

Tossing a single match on a pile of wood won’t ignite a strong flame. An entire box of matches, however? That’s the start of a kick-ass bonfire.

This is the sort of fiery result that your internal fat burners will get from the fast-paced intervals in this workout—a series of high-powered, total-body exercises. “This heart-pumping circuit packs in explosive movements in multiple directions, which activates your fast-twitch muscle fibers,” says certified strength and conditioning specialist B.J. Gaddour, CEO of StreamFit.com, who created this workout. Why that matters: Fast-twitch fibers burn calories at a faster rate than slow-twitch fibers; add in the fact that you’re engaging nearly every major muscle group, and the result is a supercharged metabolism during and after your workout.

Perform each exercise as a one-minute interval: Do as many reps as you can in 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds before continuing to the next move. Rest one minute at the end, then repeat the circuit two more times. If you’re not time-crunched, perform up to six intervals for a 30-minute workout.

MOVE 1 Lunge Run

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, arms at your sides (a). Step back and lower into a reverse lunge, then pump your arms like you’re running for three to five seconds, keeping your core tight (b). Press through your front heel to return to standing, then quickly repeat on the other side; continuing alternating.

MOVE 2 Low-Box Burpee

Stand facing a box or step with your feet hip-width apart (a). Sit your hips back, bend your knees, and place your hands on the step (b), then jump both feet behind you so that your body forms a straight line from head to heels (c). Quickly reverse the movement to return to standing.

MOVE 4 Primal Pushup

Start in a pushup position (a), then bend your knees and sit your hips back as far as you can, arms straight (b). In one motion, shift your weight onto your hands and drive your right foot forward into a lunge position, raising your right hand off the ground (c). Reverse the movement to return to start, and repeat on the other side; continue alternating.